Iceland’s otherworldly landscapes and unique experiences make it one of the most sought-after travel destinations this year. From the mesmerizing glow of the Northern Lights to the raw power of thundering waterfalls, every moment in this Nordic wonderland feels like stepping into a dream. Whether it’s soaking in geothermal lagoons, exploring volcanic terrains, or experiencing the midnight sun, there’s something extraordinary waiting at every turn. With tourism evolving, hidden gems and lesser-known adventures are now more accessible than ever. This guide highlights the absolute must-dos, ensuring every traveler makes the most of their journey in this breathtaking country.
Participate in the Reykjavík Winter Lights Festival
As Iceland’s long winter stretches on, the Reykjavík Winter Lights Festival transforms the city with mesmerizing light installations, cultural events, and nighttime activities. Held in early February, this festival celebrates both creativity and the resilience of Icelandic winter culture. Public buildings, museums, and outdoor spaces come alive with dazzling projections and interactive light displays, making Reykjavík a visual spectacle. Visitors can explore free exhibitions, guided light walks, and outdoor performances that highlight the fusion of art and technology. Thermal pools also participate, offering extended hours with special events like music performances under the stars. For a deeper experience, the Museum Night and Pool Night events allow free entry to numerous cultural institutions, ensuring a unique exploration of Iceland’s rich heritage. The festival’s energy peaks with the Reykjavík International Games, adding a competitive flair with winter sports. With the Northern Lights often visible in the background, the festival creates an unforgettable ambiance, blending nature’s beauty with human innovation. Whether strolling through Laugavegur’s illuminated streets or admiring the city’s landmarks bathed in artistic lights, this event offers an immersive introduction to Iceland’s winter magic.
Explore the Inside of a Volcano
Descending into the Thrihnukagigur Volcano offers a rare opportunity to witness the untouched magma chamber of a dormant volcano. Unlike any other volcano tour in the world, this adventure takes visitors 120 meters below the surface into an enormous cavern of solidified lava. The journey begins with a 30-minute hike across lava fields, leading to the volcano’s crater. From there, a specialized open cable lift lowers adventurers into the vast subterranean space, where vibrant hues of red, yellow, and deep blue adorn the chamber’s walls—traces of Iceland’s powerful geological forces. The silence inside is profound, broken only by the occasional drip of water seeping through the rocks. Scientists confirm that Thrihnukagigur has been dormant for over 4,000 years, making it completely safe to explore. Guides provide insights into the volcano’s formation and Iceland’s volcanic history, explaining how magma chambers typically collapse after an eruption—except in this rare instance. Due to strict preservation efforts, only a limited number of people can enter each day, making advance booking essential. The combination of an otherworldly descent and scientific marvel makes this a must-visit site for geology enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.
Attend the Dark Music Days Festival
Experimental soundscapes and avant-garde compositions define Dark Music Days, Iceland’s premier contemporary music festival held each January. Organized by the Icelandic Composers Society, this festival showcases cutting-edge works from Icelandic and international composers, performed by top-tier orchestras, ensembles, and solo artists. The event embraces innovative sound exploration, with performances spanning classical, electronic, and experimental genres. Stages across Reykjavík—ranging from Harpa Concert Hall to unconventional pop-up venues—offer a platform for artists to push sonic boundaries. Iceland’s unique natural landscapes inspire many of the compositions, adding a distinct local touch to the performances. Audiences can expect bold improvisations, interactive installations, and electroacoustic experiments that redefine modern music. For those intrigued by the intersection of tradition and futurism in sound, this festival offers an unparalleled auditory experience.
Snorkel Between Two Continents in Silfra Fissure
Drifting through the crystal-clear waters of Silfra Fissure provides a rare chance to snorkel between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Located within Thingvellir National Park, this submerged rift offers some of the clearest freshwater visibility on Earth, often exceeding 100 meters. The glacial meltwater from Langjökull Glacier, filtered through porous lava rock, creates a pristine underwater environment with brilliant blue hues and surreal rock formations. Unlike most dive sites, Silfra maintains a near-freezing temperature year-round, but dry suits ensure warmth as visitors glide weightlessly through its depths. The fissure consists of several sections, including Silfra Hall, Silfra Cathedral, and Silfra Lagoon, each offering a different perspective of this geological wonder. As sunlight pierces through the water, the play of light and shadow enhances the dreamlike experience. With no marine life, the focus remains on the ethereal landscape and the realization of floating between continents. Guided tours provide essential safety briefings and all necessary gear, ensuring even beginners can experience this unforgettable aquatic adventure.
Visit the Icelandic Phallological Museum
Unconventional yet fascinating, the Icelandic Phallological Museum houses the world’s largest collection of preserved animal phalluses. This quirky Reykjavík institution features over 280 specimens, including those from whales, seals, polar bears, and even folklore creatures like trolls. The museum’s mission extends beyond shock value, offering an educational look at reproductive biology, cultural perspectives on masculinity, and scientific curiosities. Each display is meticulously labeled, and humorous anecdotes accompany many of the exhibits, making for an engaging visit. A highlight includes the legendary “elf” phallus, humorously displayed despite elves being invisible in Icelandic folklore. The museum also features art inspired by phallic symbolism, reinforcing its cultural and scientific significance. Visitors often leave amused yet intrigued by the sheer diversity of anatomical structures found across species.
Experience the Imagine Peace Tower
A beam of pure white light illuminates the sky each autumn and winter as the Imagine Peace Tower—a tribute to John Lennon’s vision of global harmony—shines from Viðey Island. Conceived by Yoko Ono, this memorial consists of a cylindrical stone monument engraved with the phrase “Imagine Peace” in 24 languages. The light projection extends several kilometers into the sky, symbolizing hope, unity, and the pursuit of a better world. The tower is lit annually from October 9 (Lennon’s birthday) to December 8 (his passing), as well as select special occasions. The short ferry ride to Viðey Island offers a serene escape from Reykjavík, allowing visitors to reflect amid the island’s untouched landscapes and historical ruins. Yoko Ono personally visits Iceland periodically for ceremonies, reinforcing the symbolic weight of this peaceful beacon.
Attend a Concert Inside a Glacier
Descending into Langjökull Glacier, visitors enter a spectacular ice cave transformed into a natural concert hall. The experience combines unparalleled acoustics with the ethereal beauty of frozen blue ice walls, offering an intimate setting for live performances ranging from classical music to acoustic folk. The journey begins with a modified glacier truck ride, traversing the icy terrain before reaching the entrance to the cave. Inside, LED lighting highlights the intricate textures of the glacier, creating an almost mystical ambiance. The concerts are limited to small audiences, ensuring an exclusive and deeply immersive atmosphere. Due to the glacier’s slow movement, the venue subtly changes over time, making each concert unique. This event blends Iceland’s natural wonders with artistic expression, leaving a lasting impression on attendees.
Explore the Eistnaflug Music Festival
Tucked away in Neskaupstaður, a remote town in the Eastfjords, Eistnaflug Festival defies expectations with its high-energy lineup of metal, punk, and alternative music acts. Despite its underground roots, this festival attracts both Icelandic and international artists, transforming the town into a hub for hard-hitting live performances and passionate fan engagement. The event fosters a unique community atmosphere, where bands and fans mingle freely, making it one of the most inclusive and intimate music festivals in Iceland. Beyond the music, attendees can explore the surrounding fjords, hiking trails, and local cultural spots, blending adrenaline-fueled performances with breathtaking scenery.
Visit the Arctic Henge in Raufarhöfn
Far from Iceland’s well-trodden tourist paths, the Arctic Henge stands as a monumental tribute to Norse mythology and celestial alignments. Inspired by ancient sun-worshipping traditions, this stone structure in Raufarhöfn, Iceland’s northernmost village, serves as a modern interpretation of a Viking-era sundial. The Henge’s design incorporates giant basalt columns arranged to capture sunlight and shadows at different times of the year, much like Stonehenge’s astronomical functions. On clear nights, the site provides a spectacular vantage point for viewing the Northern Lights, with no artificial light pollution to obscure the celestial display.
Participate in the Reykjavík International Film Festival
Independent cinema thrives at the Reykjavík International Film Festival (RIFF), an annual event showcasing cutting-edge global films. Spanning multiple genres, from arthouse dramas to experimental documentaries, this festival attracts directors, actors, and cinephiles eager to engage in discussions, Q&A sessions, and workshops. Films are screened in unconventional locations, including geothermal pools and caves, adding an Icelandic twist to the cinematic experience. The festival’s renowned Golden Puffin Award recognizes emerging filmmakers, solidifying RIFF’s reputation as a platform for groundbreaking storytelling.
Explore the Skaftafell Ice Cave
Deep within Vatnajökull National Park, Skaftafell Ice Cave reveals an otherworldly expanse of translucent blue ice, frozen corridors, and shimmering crystal ceilings. Accessible only in winter, this cave continuously shifts in shape due to glacial movement, ensuring no two visits are the same. Certified guides lead small groups through this natural marvel, emphasizing safety and geological insights. The contrast between the smooth, glassy walls and rugged volcanic landscapes outside creates a surreal environment straight out of a fantasy novel.
Attend the Secret Solstice Festival
Midnight sun sets the stage for Secret Solstice, Iceland’s premier summer music festival, where top international artists perform under 24-hour daylight. The festival incorporates unique venues, including a lava tunnel, geothermal lagoons, and even inside an ice cave, making it one of the world’s most extraordinary festival experiences. Beyond the music, attendees can explore Reykjavík’s thriving nightlife, blend festival energy with hot spring relaxation, and witness the surreal glow of the sun lingering on the horizon past midnight.
Visit the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft
Nestled in the remote Westfjords, the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft delves into the eerie history of Iceland’s witchcraft trials, ancient spells, and folklore-driven magic. Unlike the European witch hunts, Iceland’s magical tradition was largely male-dominated, with grimoires (spellbooks) and rune-based sorcery shaping the practices. The museum’s most infamous exhibit is the nábrók, or necropants—a terrifying artifact said to grant wealth if worn, crafted from human skin. Other displays include curses, love spells, and protection runes, many of which were believed to wield real power in Icelandic folklore. Interactive exhibits allow visitors to examine magical staves (galdrastafir) and learn about the dark yet fascinating beliefs that shaped rural Icelandic communities.
Experience the Annual Sheep Round-Up (Réttir)
Every September, Icelandic farmers and townspeople gather for Réttir, the country’s traditional sheep round-up, where thousands of free-roaming sheep are herded back to their farms after spending summer grazing in the highlands. Visitors can join local farmers, riding horses or trekking rugged landscapes, as they assist in guiding the flocks through valleys and rivers. The event culminates in a community sorting process, where each farm reclaims its sheep, followed by festive gatherings with music, local delicacies, and storytelling. Réttir offers a rare glimpse into Iceland’s deep-rooted agricultural traditions and communal spirit, making it a unique hands-on experience for travelers.
Explore the Westfjords’ Dynjandi Waterfall
Towering above the remote fjords of Iceland’s northwest, Dynjandi Waterfall is a breathtaking cascade often referred to as the jewel of the Westfjords. Unlike other Icelandic waterfalls, Dynjandi consists of a main tiered cascade dropping 100 meters, resembling a bridal veil flowing down the mountainside. The short hike to the base reveals a series of smaller waterfalls, each with its own unique shape and sound. Due to its isolated location, fewer crowds visit, making it an ideal stop for those seeking unspoiled nature and tranquil beauty. The surrounding cliffs and coastal views enhance the experience, offering a perfect blend of rugged wilderness and serene landscapes.